Guangzhou to reward public during Asian Games

17:02, September 28, 2010

To thank the Guangzhou citizens for their constant understanding and support in preparation for the 16th Asian Games, the Guangzhou municipality Government has officially released a list of special "big gifts" for the 16th Asian Games on Sept. 27, including 10 beneficial policies for citizens.

With the approval of the State Council, the citizens of Guangzhou will be provided a public holiday during the upcoming Guangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games. The "big gifts" include three days of leave for the city’s residents during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games, which will include the opening day of the Asian Games on Nov. 12,, the day of the closing ceremony Nov. 26 and the final day will be during the Asian Para Games on Dec. 13.

In addition, the city's government will send letters of thanks to the permanent residents and present commemorative stamps related to the Asian Games. Nearly 1.6 million tickets for the games and arts performances will be presented to local residents. A total of 5,000 construction workers who have participated in the Asian Games project will be invited to watch the opening ceremony of the games. Furthermore, Guangzhou's government will grant 500 yuan each to disabled and low-income families.

Currently, a set of stamps commemorating the Opening Ceremony of the 16th Asian Games will be released on Nov. 12, the day when the Games are inaugurated, according to the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) and China Post Guangdong, which held a joint press conference at the Guangzhou V-Space International Sports Mall on Sept. 27.

Meanwhile, from Nov. 11 until Dec. 20, 13 public stadiums not being used by the games will be opened to the pubic during the Guangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

The 16th Asian Games will be held in the "Flower City" of Guangzhou, China from Nov. 12 to Nov. 27, bring together more than 14,000 athletes, trainers and coaches from 45 countries and regions. It will feature 42 sports, including 28 Olympic sports and 14 non-Olympic sports. The Asian Games, also called the Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years that includes athletes from all over Asia.